Clegg says no to Trident renewal

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for Trident to be scrapped, saying it is too expensive and no longer meets the UK's defence needs.

According to the BBC report, Clegg (pictured) stated that whilst the UK still needed nuclear weapons as a deterrent, a "like for like" replacement was out of the question.
 
This marks a change in the Lib Dem's stance on Trident.
 
Previously, under former leader Sir Menzies Campbell, the party had adopted a "wait-and-see policy", arguing that a decision on renewal could be postponed to 2014.
 
A key issue for Campbell was how to use Trident to retain British influence in non-proliferation talks.
 
Clegg has now appointed Campbell to look at cheaper alternatives to Trident.
 
Lib Dem rebel Phil Willis pointed out in 2007 that the "wait and see" approach would discredit the party, encourage proliferation and tie the UK into US foreign policy.
 
Moreover, during the last Lib Dem leadership contest, Chris Huhne- Clegg's opponent- called Trident "possibly illegal, costly and unstable".
 
It is also important to note that nearly half of the 63 current Lib Dem MPs support a Nuclear Weapons Convention.
 
Clegg thus appears to have taken note of the powerful arguments against Trident coming from within his own party, arguments which have become increasingly forceful as the UK's economy falters and concerns over the defence budget grow.
 
 
 
 
 
Photo credit: David Spender